Ghostface Killah

“I try to pace my life out and try not to be too involved with negativity and try to fix what I can fix in my life. And that’s it.”-Ghostface Killah

Arguably the Wu-Tang Clan’s most successful solo member, Ghostface Killah has distinguished himself with hit albums like Ironman and Supreme Clientele. The summer of 2006 saw the release of Fishscale. "This album is gonna put me back on top of everyone's list," Ghostface says. "Ain't nobody approaching they music with the care that I do."

MAGNETISM

When you’re a platinum-selling recording artist with millions of dollars in bling, meeting women is generally the least of your concerns. The more arduous challenge is selecting just one. Luckily, Ghostface has a tried and true method that he applies equally to his music and his women. “I choose beats like my women," he explains. "I'm picky. A lot of women don't turn me on like that, just like a lot of beats don't turn me on. But when I find 'em, I know what to do with 'em."

SUCCESS

One of hip hop’s most polished and prolific talents, Ghostface has been a force to be reckoned with since appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan’s first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Still considered one of the industry’s most influential recordings, that album held the No. 1 spot for the Top 100 Albums of 1993. It also gave Ghostface the freedom to experiment, and he responded with contributions to fellow Clan member Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx in 1995. A major cross-over success, the album was later included in Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings of the ‘90s list.

Since then he has released seven solo albums, including Ironman (1996), Supreme Clintele (2000), Bulletproof Wallets (2001), Shaolin’s Finest (2003), The Pretty Toney Album (2004), Put It On The Line (2005), and Fishscale (2006). Of particular note are Ironman, which was certified platinum and Supreme Clientele, which achieved gold status and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

In addition to his own albums, Ghostface has been featured on hit singles by Mobb Deep, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Nate Dogg, and Method Man, among others. He has also contributed songs to the soundtracks for Sunset Park (1996) and Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood (1996), starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans.

Ghostface Killah Biography

Dennis Coles was born May 9, 1970, in the New York borough of Staten Island. Like those around him, much of his youth was spent just trying to survive. As he recalls, “I was only one of hundreds of crazy, nasty kids that got his chance through the struggle."

In an effort to escape the violence of the projects, Coles immersed himself in rap, showing phenomenal rhyming skills at an early age. It was during this time that he also took on the moniker Ghostface Killah, a name he adopted from a poorly-dubbed kung-fu film called Ninja Checkmate.

ghostface joins the wu-tang clan

Equipped with an alias and a keen sense for creating catchy stream-of-conscious raps, Ghostface got his big break in 1992. It was during that year that he joined the Wu-Tang Clan, a hip hop collective that featured nine Staten Island MCs. The group, which was put together by RZA, also consisted of GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, U-God, and Masta Killah. Although RZA may have been the de facto leader, it was Ghostface who truly brought the group together. "When RZA decided to form the Wu-Tang I was the one that knew everyone," he says, "So I was the link that brought everyone together.”

It’s also why he was chosen to be an executive producer of the group’s first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993). The critically acclaimed debut reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200 and it was later named one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

ghostface on only built 4 cuban linx

After two years of performing with the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface had a breakout year in 1995 thanks to his contributions on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The influential release sold millions of copies en route to claiming the No. 4 spot on the Billboard 200. "Me and Rae brought all that silk shirt, Cristal, wallabee sh!t to the game," Ghostface says of the album. "We showed everyone how to do that drug dealer, live nigga rap."

ghostface releases ironman

The success of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx also paved the way for Ghostface’s first solo record, Ironman. Released in 1996, the album debuted at No. 2 on the pop charts and was certified platinum before the year was out. As successful as Ironman may have been, nothing could have prepared Ghostface for the acclaim he received for his next album, Supreme Clientele (2000).

supreme clientele blows critics away

Supreme Clientele is still considered one of the best solo efforts by a Wu-Tang alumnus. Filled with club hits like “Cherchez Laghost” and “Child’s Play,” there is little wonder why VIBE magazine named the disc one of the top 10 albums of all time. Supreme Clientele was also a huge commercial success, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 en route to being certified gold.

Not content to sit on his laurels, Ghostface hit the charts again in 2001 with Bulletproof Wallets, a moderate success that featured guest vocals from fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man and Raekwon. That was followed in 2003 by a well-received best-of collection entitled Shaolin’s Finest.

ghostface releases the pretty toney album

Fans anxious to hear new songs from Ghostface got an earful in 2004 with the release of The Pretty Toney Album. Named as the ninth Best Album of the Year by Pitchfork Media, the catchy compilation also featured collaborations with heavyweights like Missy Elliott and Jadakiss. Indeed, 2004 was a busy year for Ghostface as he also appeared on singles by 411, Method Man, Masta Killa, De La Soul, and the X-Ecutioners.

Collaborations were the name of the game again in 2005 when Ghostface teamed up with rapper Trife Da God for the album Put It On The Line. Although collaborations can be satisfying, nothing beats a straight-up Ghostface Killah album. That’s why fans were so excited by the 2006 release of Fishscale, an all-star album boasting production from MF DOOM, Pete Rock and J Dilla among others. "Fishscale is just me showing that I can still ball with the best of them," he says. "With each album I learn so this album has the most knowledge of all of them."

Although his career has thus far been a smashing success, Ghostface knows there’s still much more to accomplish. “This rap sh!t is just a stepping stone,” he says. “This is what I do, but I think my purpose in life is even more bigger than this. And I'm waiting for God to deliver the revelations to me so I can carry out his mission.”